Chapter 1: Memories and Old Wounds

Loss is part of life for all humans. It’s something we have no control of. We have to accept it. Painful it can be, but we have to press onward and live through it. But it is important to remember the memories of those who we lost. Never to forget them, and they will always be a part of your life forever, within your heart, mind and soul.

My name is Daniel Tatsuo. I'm twenty three years old. I wear a white T-shirt with a black zip hoodie. The rest of my attire consists of red and black shoes, black fingerless gloves, and ripped jeans. On my left cheek there is a scar from long ago during my childhood. And finally around my neck was a golden pendant, a pendant that held within it a picture of me and someone I loved with all my heart, my mother.

She meant everything to me. She was my whole world, but she died from Cancer when I was ten. I became devastated and heartbroken by her death. How can I not? I was so young back then. Losing her at that age can really affect someone that young like that. When she passed, my grandfather Errick, took me in and I lived with him at his home. Among the past seven years, he taught me how to handle and use a sword, as well as martial arts. These lessons were given to me to learn to defend myself in the future.

Through those years, he was a father to me, but he then became ill. I got word my grandfather was injected with some kind of deadly poison, which is fatal to the human body. How he was injected with this poison, I do not know. There was no evidence to how it was injected. From the news, I knew he wasn't going to make it. Three weeks later, he passed as well, leaving me alone in this world. His death was hard to process within my mind. It was as painful when my mother passed.

I don't try to dwell on the past and cry about it all the time. I mean it is normal for humans like me to cry about the loss of my family from time to time, but like I said, I don't try to look behind me. I know for certain mom and Grandpa wouldn't want me to dwell about their deaths forever.

I didn't have any friends from my time living in my state home, Florida. I lived by myself after my grandfather's death. I wasn't the person you would call being social. I was pretty shy and don't do well talking to others most of the time...especially girls. I tend to do what I can to help despite being in my comfort zone. My Grandfather told me before he died to always help others in need. I'll never forget his words, and I'll never forget him and my Mother. I didn't know what to do in my life now, but everything would be changed forever.

*****

The warm summer breeze brushed among my face as I sat crisscrossed outside my grandfather's home. I tend to meditate from time to time to clear my head of any thoughts. My grandfather does it a lot, so I follow his advice when I feel down. Being the new owner of my old man’s house was not much of an issue.

I didn’t have any problems paying the taxes and so forth, because the payment was low, and the house electricity, water and so forth wasn’t used much when my Grandfather lived here.

My eyes looked among the clear blue skies as if I knew my mom and old man looked down on me from heaven. “...I miss you guys.” I whispered among the warm breezing air. “I only wish now, I hope I can do something for the both of you. Something you two would be proud of.” The wind picked up a bit and some of the cherry blossom leaves from the tree nearby rode with the wind and brushed my cheek. I couldn't help but feel a small smile form, as if they heard me. “Thank you…” I finally got up and headed inside my house.

I walked into the family room before looking at the family pictures near the fireplace. They each had me, mom and gramps, from my birth, to now. I grasped one of them and looked among the one with them while I was a baby in my mom’s arms. A warm smile formed while I brushed my hand among the image. Even in the sad times, I still have beautiful memories and reminders of my parents.

I walked into the living room and pulled out a sword from a drawer, gently holding it in my hands. The sword was sheathed in a black sheath, made out of strong leather with a metal compartment inside of it. While I had my mother's pendant as a final reminder of her, the sword was also the final reminder of my old man.

I gently grabbed the handle and slowly, inch by inch, pulled out the blade. Once it was fully removed from its sheath, I inspected its beauty. The blade was made out of some kind of unusual metal that is shrouded with mystery. It looked to be iron or steel, but it was far too strong to be that. I saw my old man break shit with this sword and it's tough as hell.

The blades design was unique. The bottom end had a blue enterpart. The blade narrowed a bit before expanding for the top part of it.

(The sword is dedicated to the design from the remastered Shadow of the Colossus for PS4)

This blade was his most prized possession. He acquired this sword from his late grandfather, to whom I don't know, but he told me he was a great warrior, with a pure heart of gold. This sword was given to me by him on my seventeenth birthday, a year before his passing, and told me it would bring me good luck.

I continued looking at the blade, seeing the reflection of my face on the metal. My reflection was then replaced with my grandfathers, and he was smiling at me. I smiled a little, knowing he and my mother were watching me from the heavens above.

I sheathed the sword and sling the sheath onto my back. I don't intend to carry it with me in public, because it's a weapon of course, but also its very unique sword and I didnt want to lose it. My grandfather once told me that many people worldwide had wanted his sword because of the metal, the design and how incredibly durable it is. He even told me someone was willing to give him tons of cash.

It was amazing how expensive this sword was, but it belonged to him, and he kept it because of how special it was to his family legacy, and I can feel it within me when I hold it. I will never trade this magnificent blade for anything, not even for all the money and power in the world.

I decided to sit down on the couch and watch some TV. I had nothing better to do, other than me training with the sword of my martial workouts. Nothing in my life was exciting. I missed the good old days with my grandfather. He would always take me on camping trips and teach me how to wield the sword. We would always see the scenery of the forest, hearing the sound of the birds. We even saw a bear cub wrestling with its sibling one time. I'll tell you, it looked so cute and funny even though bears could be dangerous sometimes. I'll never forget those times with my grandfather...

Besides the camping I did with my grandfather, my mom and I would always walk on the beach together with him on many occasions whenever we met him. Always looking at the blue ocean and admiring its beauty. Smiling at these memories, I decided to go to the beach for a calm walk. I haven’t visited the beaches in a few years, due to the training from my Grandfather, so it wouldn’t hurt to visit there again.

I got up from the couch, and decided to take some things to keep me busy. I packed up some food, water, my Iphone, my laptop computer, a few reading books, and decided to take my grandfather's sword with me. I'm bringing my laptop since I’ll be stopping by and looking up some videos and such for research on swordplay. While my grandfather was good, I still should take advice from others online to be better.

Packed up and ready to go, I left my home and headed off to the beach. I spent four hours calmly walking along the sidewalks and the streets, until I made it to the beach. I started walking down the path, admiring the beauty of the water, glittering the setting sun's light off the surface. I was happy that my mom and I decided to live here in Florida. Nothing in this world can ever compare the beauty of the ocean in this state, along with its white sandy beaches.

I continued walking around the beach again and again for a couple of hours, and before I knew it the Sun was setting near to the horizon of the ocean. I decided to stop for a while before I sat at a nearby wooden table. I took out my laptop and began looking up videos of swordplay. I usually follow these from real people, but it didn't hurt to see some from video games.

I didn't focus upon how much time passed, but I noticed that the sun setted a while ago and the moon was out. I always enjoyed the night sky, but it was a disappointment that not many stars were visible and the clouds were in the way. I gave a soft sigh of disappointment before I shut off my laptop. I was ready to had back home.

"Well, well, well, lookie who we have here…"

I stopped dead in my tracks and I looked up and was faced by three men around twenty and twenty-one. I glared at the men, knowing who they were. It was Tom, Chuck, and Will. They were students at my old school before I dropped out since I didn't have the money for tuition. These pricks have a tendency of trying to make my life a living hell. Besides not having friends, I was also bullied. One time, Tom went to the point where he calls my mother a whore for getting the virus, saying she got it from fucking peopl with STDs. that sent me over and I pulvrized the hell outta him. I'll never forgive them for what he said.

"What the fuck do you assholes want?" I replied calmly with venom dripping from my words. Something in my mind was telling me this is not gonna end well.

The three boys laughed, "Aww, look at that boys, little Danny misses us." Tom taunted. My rage boiled in my blood. Even with the poundings I give them, they do not take a hint. While I do find some satisfaction in beating them up, Grandfather told me to only use violence for necessary defense.

I calmly shut my laptop and plcd it back in my bag as I stood. "You three are a waste of my time. Now, beat it." I started walking away to head back home. I won't let them spoil my day.

Suddenly, I was hit in the head with a lot of force, causing me to fall down and drop my bag and sword. I was then hauled up to my knees, and was in an arm lock position, being held by Will.

Tom stepped in front of me, "You know that hurts my feelings Danny boy. Now, apologize." Tom said to me in a calm tone.

I replied by spitting in his face, refusing to apologize to the likes of him. “Suck a dick, asshole.”

Tom wiped my spit off of his face and growled, "Wanna play tough? Well, that's fine by me." He then started punching my gut with hard throws, almost causing me to cough out saliva. He then gave me a right hook in the face, leaving me with a huge bruise on my eye. He continued punching me in the face and gut a couple more times until he stopped.

I was breathing heavily, while blood was dripping from my nose and lips from the new open wounds. I will give this prick a little credit, he’s gotten stronger the last time we met.

Tom bent down again and asked, "Are you going to apologize now?"

"Bite me prick." I replied coldly.

Tom only shook his head and stood up, ready to give me another beating. I closed my eyes tightly and braced myself for another round.

Before he could, I heard Chuck saying, "Yo Tom! Have a look at this!"

I weakly turned and my eyes widened when I noticed he was holding my sword. Oh no...

Tom walked over to him and grabbed the blade, looking at it for the first few seconds, until he went wide eyed as well, “Well, ain't this a thing of beauty.” He grinned at me.

Goddammit...

"You know Danny boy, instead of getting an apology from you, I'll take this sword so we can call it even." He looked at the blade, while smiling at it, "I can make a lot of money out of this."

My eyes narrowed while my teeth bared. “You put down my grandfather's sword.”

“Oh? You mean this belongs to your old man?” He mocked. “Heh, well kudos to him for keeping it. This baby will make hundreds or even thousands.”

My throat released a growl. “You asked for it.” I threw my head back as hard as I could and hit Will in the face, making him yell in pain as he released me to grasp it with his hands. I lunged forward and quickly punched Chuck and Tom in the faces, making them stagger and fall to the ground in surprise. While I not only stunned them, I made Tom drop my sword as well.

I shook my hands to nullify the pain a bit before walking past them. “That was only a warning, asshole.” I picked up my blade and bag and walked off.

“BASTARD!” Tom’s voice roared. When I turned, I was met with his fist in the face. I stumbled back and held a yell of pain. I was hit in the gut as I hunched over. I felt him grab my sword hilt. I reacted by grabbing his arm and twisting it. He yelled in pain as I spun him around and slammed a foot inot his back. He fell forward as he went face first to the sand. I saw Chuck rushing to me as well. I ducked to avoid a punch and hit him hard in the gut. He fell like a sack of potatoes.

“Pathetic…” I shook my head and walked off. They can never get a hint. I glanced back to see Tom and Chuck getting up. Will was distant a bit, but I shrugged it off and moved onward.

I was crossing a bridge which was also a dock that crossed an open field of water that connected to a river into the mainlands and to the oceans. Now mind you, I have anxiety about what dwells in the deep. Long story, and something I wish not to remember a lot. When I was about a few yards to reach the other side, something hard hit the back of my head.

Holding my head as I bled a bit, I turned around and saw Tom and his goons walking up to me. I gave a glare and frustrated sigh. “You just don't know when to get the hint, huh dick?”

"You have two choices Danny, give us the sword, or you'll get the biggest beating of your life." Tom demanded. He had one hand extended out for me to place the sword while his other was clenched in a tight fist. His friends looked just as ready for another fight.

I looked down at my grandfather's sword behind my back, knowing I didn't want them to get their hands on it. Now one thing I should know, I can just use my sword to threaten them, but it's against the law for me to use such a weapon, especially when I'm retired from the Navy. Yes I was part of the Navy for a few years. That's a story for another time.

"Over my dead body" I stated firmly.

The Bastard smirked. "That can be arranged Danny Boy." He moved his hand behind his back and was starting to pull something out. Then, to my horror...it was a pistol he pulled out, a hi-point 9mm, and aimed it directly at me. I started backing up a bit as he approached. It wasn’t long till I was cornered and at the edge of a dock.

"Tom, I think you're taking this a little too far." Will pointed out. Even though Will bullies me, He would never have the thought to try to kill me.

"SHUT UP!" Tom roared as Will shrunk bak. "If he has a death wish, then I can happily request it for him." He looked back at me and placed his finger on the trigger. "Bye Bye, Danny boy."

BAM

I quickly dodged, but the bullet grazed my left shoulder, making me shout in pain.

Tom ran up and tried to grab my sword, but I started pushing him back, and the two of us started wrestling over the blade. We continued this competition for a good thirty seconds, until he managed to pull the blade free from the sheath. I grasped his wrist and twisted it, causing the tip of my blade to cut Tom's cheek, making him shout in pain and release his grip on me. The gun in his hand fired again, this time the bullet shot into my chest. I felt pain shoot in my body as I gasped softly. I felt my body freezing up with paralysis as I felt myself leaning back.

My body hit the water. My lungs started to swell from the liqui quickly going inside my body. I couldn’t move. I was now fearing for the worst. I was going to die. But...maybe now I can finally be more at peace and be reunited with my mom and old man. I slowly closed my eyes, and allowed darkness to take hold of me...

"WHAT THE FUCK TOM!?" Will shouted.

"SHUT UP WILL!" Tom screamed back.

"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! EVEN THOUGH HE WAS ANNOYING AS SHIT TO ME, HE NEVER DESERVED A DEATH SENTENCE!"

"HE HAD IT COMING TO HIM!"

"Uh, Guys?" Chuck said to the two.

"WHAT!?"

The two fell silent when they saw a police officer glaring angrily at the three men.

"Oh fuck." Tom muttered under his breath.

Author's Note

HEY EVERYONE! Here is the first chapter of Equestrians Human Spirit Remastered. I hope this chapter has made up for the many flaws from the first old chapter. It still lays out much like the old on, but I made some grammar fixes and such to make it more appealing. I noticed many of you not liking how Daniel's life started out and didn't like how he was a baby of crying a lot from the beginning. So, I made Daniel more of a mature man than a whining teenager. I also switched the last name from Blaze to Tatsuo. There are reasons why, that also put in for him being a Marine solider, but that will be explained later.

I also switched out that katana from the old story and put it in a different sword. I decided to go with the one from Shadow of the Colossus. Why? Cause the blade is fucking awesome.

Now I will mention to you all, there will be references to many animes and such, but not to be in a crossover. some for instance like yugioh, I will be taking in the pictures of dragons and other creatures for special beasts, and skyrim for other things. Like I said, many references from games and animes that will bee known.

Some other chapters will follow a different path than what the old ones do. Now, if there are some things you all wish to see, let me know. also, if you wish, point out some other flaws you want me to fix and so on. This time I will try to listen to the views and try to make this story better, but I wish for you all to not be rude about if this story is shit. I wont remove comments though.

Thank you all for reading the first chapter of EHS Remastered. Follow, like and fave for the support. Special thanks to Cosmicsafe74 for grammar and edits. See you all next time! :)